Senate approves illegal immigrants to pay in-state Oregon tuition

SALEM, Ore. — Pending the Governor’s signature, young illegal immigrants will be able to pay resident college tuition if they were brought to the United States as children.

The Oregon Senate approved the measure by a 19-11 vote on Thursday and now sends the measure to Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, who says he will sign it.

Illegal immigrants in Oregon pay college tuition at the rate charged to nonresident students, which is about $20,000 more than the cost for Oregon residents. Proponents say young people shouldn’t be priced out of college because their parents chose to immigrate illegally.

Critics say the state shouldn’t be subsidizing a college education for people who violated immigration laws.

At least 14 other states allow young illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition. Colorado’s Legislature approved similar legislation this month, and the governor says he’ll sign it.